Client Overview

Langston University’s Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Research and Capacity Building for Minority Entities is a federally funded research center located at the university’s Oklahoma City campus. Led by Professor Edward Manyibe, the center is dedicated to strengthening disability research and expanding engagement with underrepresented communities, policymakers, and practitioners nationwide.

View Langston University Rehabilitation Counseling Program Ranked Top 20 in Nation

⭐ The Challenge

Langston University’s RRTC launched a federally funded research project focused on gathering insights from key disability stakeholders. To succeed, the project needed meaningful participation from federal and state policymakers, disability researchers, practitioners, and community leaders—audiences that are traditionally difficult to reach without trusted pathways.

The team faced several challenges:

• They needed a clear and strategic outreach plan to identify high-value participants; they needed messaging that was consistent, inclusive, and aligned with disability community expectations; and they were working under strict timelines that required rapid and efficient recruitment.
• The core gaps were market insights, market visibility, market connection, market messaging, market accessibility, and market positioning, all of which were essential to recruiting the right participants in time.

⭐ The Resource Key Solution

The Resource Key provided targeted support across multiple service areas to help Langston University meet its recruitment goals.

• Market insights: we identified and mapped key informants across disability research, policy, and community sectors to guide a strategic sampling and targeting process.
• Market visibility: we increased awareness of the study across trusted disability networks so stakeholders understood the relevance and importance of the project.
• Market connection: we built an inclusive outreach and follow-up system designed to authentically engage policymakers, researchers, and practitioners.
• Market messaging: we crafted consistent, clear communication aligned with disability community expectations to build credibility and encourage participation.
• Market accessibility: we ensured outreach timing, format, and language reflected inclusive engagement practices.
• Market positioning: we positioned Langston’s RRTC as a research leader committed to equity, collaboration, and community-centered inquiry.

⭐ What We Delivered

• We delivered a complete, end-to-end stakeholder engagement strategy that supported the success of the research project.
• We designed a targeted outreach plan and sample development strategy tailored to disability-sector stakeholders. We created a structured communication and messaging framework to support all outreach activities. We coordinated recruitment and executed a three-step follow-up system to ensure participation. We also implemented inclusive engagement practices that strengthened trust and increased responsiveness.

⭐ Impact & Outcomes

• Recruitment Success:
  The project achieved 100% of its recruitment target within two months, including participation from hard-to-reach policymakers and researchers.
• Organizational Efficiency:
  Timelines accelerated due to structured coordination, centralized communication, and clear outreach systems.
• Reputation & Credibility:
  Langston University RRTC strengthened its positioning as a research institution committed to disability equity, stakeholder collaboration, and inclusive research design.

⭐ Services Provided

This engagement focused on six core service areas:
Market Insights, Market Visibility, Market Connection, Market Messaging, Market Accessibility, and Market Positioning.